IAF Targets Rocket Launchers in Three Separate Incidents

Posted on August 19, 2011 by idfspokesperson

Over the course of this afternoon and early evening, IAF aircraft targeted terrorists as they were preparing to launch rockets at Israel from three separate locations in the northern Gaza Strip. Hits were confirmed.

The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to harm Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers, and will respond with determination to any attempt to use terror against the State of Israel. The IDF holds the Hamas terrorist organization solely responsible for any terrorist activity emanating from the Gaza Strip.

Israel's Iron Dome System. Photo: Itai Cohen, Bamahane.

Israeli Southern Residents Live Under Constant Rocket Fire

Posted on August 19, 2011 by idfspokesperson

Since Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005, terrorists have fired more than 7,000 rockets and mortars into Israel. Turning Gaza into a launching pad for terrorist activity, Hamas continues to target major Israeli population centers. In the last year, approximately 460 rockets and mortar shells were fired at Israeli population centers in southern Israel, putting millions of Israelis in the direct line of fire. Terrorists shamefully targeted three of Israel’s largest southern cities: Be’er Sheba, Ashdod and Ashkelon.

Multi-Pronged terror attack in southern Israel

On August 18, 2011, eight people were killed and at least 40 others were injured in a multi-pronged terror attack that targeted Israeli civilians. In a premeditated attack, terrorists targeted Israeli civilians, who were on their way to Eilat, a popular tourist destination for summer vacations. All of the incidents took place near the Israel-Egypt border. According to Israeli intelligence, the terrorists originated from Gaza.

The bus headed to Eilat which was destroyed by a terror attack.

Years of constant rocket attacks in southern Israel

Back in January 2007, three Israelis were killed in a suicide bombing at an Eilat bakery after a terrorists detonated an explosive belt.

In April 2008, terrorists killed two Israeli civilians at a fuel depot along the Israel-Gaza border.

Last April, Hamas launched an anti-tank missile from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel, striking a school bus, killing 16-year-old Daniel Viflic.

IAF Targets Terror Sites in the Gaza Strip

Posted on August 19, 2011 by idfspokesperson

A short while ago, IAF aircraft targeted two weapons manufacturing sites in the central Gaza Strip and a terror activity site in both the northern and southern Gaza Strip. Hits were confirmed.

This is a response to the terror attacks executed against Israel in the last 24 hours.

The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to harm Israeli civilians and soldiers, and will respond with determination to any attempt to use terror against the State of Israel. The IDF holds the Hamas terrorist organization solely responsible for any terrorist activity emanating from the Gaza Strip.

Archive: IDF thwarts rocket fire in the gaza strip

Home Front Command Safety Instructions

Posted on August 19, 2011 by idfspokesperson

Following terror attacks that targeted Israeli civilians, the Home Front Command released safety instructions to the population:

When an attack is recognized it is necessary to enter a safety area. Avoid large gatherings of more than 500.
Defensive measures must be taken in the available time. Entering a building or a protected space is recommended for at least 10 minutes.
Home Front Command instructions have proven to save lives. Every day we see people who employed the instructions in the field and saved their own lives and the lives of their families. The instructions must be followed completely.
Further instructions are given via media sources and can be found at the Home Front Command website.

Simulating

Gaza Rockets Strike, Israeli Civilians Under Threat

Posted on August 19, 2011 by idfspokesperson

Eight people were killed and at least 40 others were injured in yesterday’s multi-pronged terror attack that targeted Israeli civilians. In a premeditated attack, terrorists targeted Israeli civilians, who were on their way to Eilat, a popular tourist destination for summer vacations. All of the incidents took place near the Israel-Egypt border. According to Israeli intelligence, the terrorists originated from Gaza.

Southern Israel under rocket attack. Photo: Reuters

Since Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005, terrorists have fired more than 7,000 rockets and mortars into Israel. Turning Gaza into a launching pad for terrorist activity, Hamas continues to target major Israeli population centers. Millions of Israel’s southern residents live under a daily threat of rocket and terror attacks. The Hamas terrorist organization has also increased its attacks on Israeli soldiers along the Israel-Gaza border, firing advanced anti-tank weapons at IDF tanks.

In July and August, terrorists operating in the Gaza Strip launched approximately 50 rockets and five grad rockets into Israel. The year 2011 saw an increase in rocket attacks—more than 350 rockets and mortars fired from Gaza hit dozens of Israeli southern communities.

Damaged Synagogue in Ashdod, Israel. Photo: Ynet.co.il

On August 1, a middle-aged Israeli woman was moderately injured in a rocket attack emanating from Gaza; the rocket landed in the outskirts of Ashkelon–a city populated by 112,000 residents.

Last April, Hamas launched an antitank missile from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel, striking a school bus, killing 16-year-old Daniel Viflic and wounding the bus driver.

Israel resorts to Iron Dome following barrage of short-range rockets and mortar shells

Overnight, the Iron Dome, an Israeli missile-defense system, intercepted four rockets launched from Gaza into Israel.

The Iron Dome system was designed as a response to the threats Israel faces from short-range rockets and mortar shells. The system has the capability to identify and destroy such projectiles before they land in Israeli territory. It has the capability to determine where an incoming projectile will land and only intercepts projectiles that pose meaningful threats.

In Response to Combined Terrorist Attacks, IAF Targets Sites in the Gaza Strip

Posted on August 19, 2011 by idfspokesperson

Overnight, IAF aircraft targeted seven targets in the Gaza Strip. In northern Gaza, the targets included a weapon manufacturing site and two terror activity sites. In southern Gaza, the targets included two smuggling tunnels, a terror tunnel and a terror activity site.

Direct hits were confirmed, and secondary blasts were identified at a number of the targets.

These sites were targeted in response to the combined terrorist attacks that took place yesterday around noon near the city of Eilat, as well as the firing of rockets at Israel from Gaza.

Bus No. #393 was shot en route to Eilat.

The IDF will not tolerate any malicious attempt to harm Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers, and will not hesitate to respond with strength and determination to any element that uses terror against the State of Israel and until calm is restored. The IDF holds the Hamas terrorist organization solely responsible for any terrorist activity emanating from the Gaza Strip.

Fallen Soldier and Dozens Injured in Multi-Pronged Terror Attack

Posted on August 19, 2011 by idfspokesperson

Eight people were killed and at least 40 others were injured in today’s multi-pronged terror attack targeting Israeli civilians. In a premeditated attack, terrorists targeted Israeli civilians, who were on their way to Eilat, a popular tourist destination for summer vacations. All of the incidents took place near the Israel-Egypt border. According to Israeli intelligence, the terrorists originated from Gaza.

The Israeli bus after the first incident (Photo: Channel 2)

Around noon on August 18, 2011, terrorists opened fire on Israeli civilian bus number 392 while it was traveling en route to Eilat. Fourteen people were injured and evacuated to a nearby hospital. The bus driver continued driving and stopped at a security check to report the incident.

Bus No. #393 was shot en route to Eilat.

At simultaneous events along the same southern route, a bomb tore through a civilian bus without passengers, killing the driver, and terrorists fired at two civilian vehicles. IDF troops were dispatched to aid civilian casualties; en route to the scene, they were fired upon, killing Staff Sergeant Moshe Naftali, aged 22.

Photos from multi-pronged terror attack on Israeli civilians

An explosive device detonated under a civilian bus, killing the driver. Photo: Ariel Hermoni, Israeli Defense Ministry.

In addition, the Iron Dome, an Israeli missile-defense system, intercepted two rockets launched from Gaza into Israel.

The IDF will pursue those responsible for this attack at all costs and will not allow further harm to Israeli civilians.

Follow @idfspokesperson on twitter for real-time updates.

Updates: Terror Attacks in Southern Israel

Posted on August 18, 2011 by idfspokesperson

On Thursday, August 18, 2011, eight people were killed and at least 40 others injured in a string of terror attacks on buses, civilian vehicles and soldiers near the Israel-Egypt border. In a premeditated attack, terrorists from Gaza targeted Israeli civilians, who were 20km from reaching Eilat, a popular tourist destination for summer vacations.

The bus headed to Eilat which was destroyed by a terror attack.

Following one of the worst terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians in recent years, terrorists in the Gaza Strip fired almost 90 rockets into major Israeli population centers. In response, the IDF targeted several sites of terror activity.

The below post will be updated as this event continues to unfold. Follow @IDFSpokesperson on twitter for real-time updates.

Monday, 22/8

01:14 - Hamas-run Gaza rocket just struck southern Israel community.

Sunday, 21/8

23:14 - Three more Gaza rockets just struck southern Israel.
21:59 - Following the terror attacks emanting from the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces’ soldiers helped in moving babies to protected wings in the hospital.
21:33 - A short while ago two rockets fired from Hamas-run Gaza fell near Eshkol Regional Council.
19:45 - Hamas launched a mortar shell with phosphorus which hit Kerem Shalom today.
19:27 - Hamas-run Gaza rocket hit southern Israel communities near Israel-Gaza border. A total of 31 rockets struck Israel today.
17:15 - Another Gaza rocket hit Israel, which is approximatly 11 miles north of the Gaza Strip, threatening the lives of 112,900 Ashkelon residents.
17:02 - IDF Announcement: In Response to Rocket Fire, Israel Air Force Targets Terror Sites in the Gaza Strip.
16:40 - Fifty Gazans entered Israel for medical treatment while 22 rockets landed in southern Israel.
14:03 - On Thursday Israel sent 263 truckloads with goods and gas into the Gaza Strip for the Palestinian Population and is sending more today.
12:00 -2 rockets hit so. of Ashkelon, Israel, threatening 112,900 Ashkelon residents; city Pop. = 1/3 of Florence, Italy Pop.
10:00 -7 rockets hit Israel in last couple of hours
07:20 -Iron Dome intercepts 3 rockets launched from Gaza into Israel
06:56 -Short while ago, 4 more Gaza rockets struck southern Israel.
05:26 - Another Hamas-run Gaza rocket hit Eshkol Regional Council in southern Israel.
05:16 - An unpleasant wake up: Another Hamas-run Gaza rocket struck Ashkelon, home to 112,900 civilians.
04:13 - Short while ago, 3 more Hamas-run Gaza rockets hit southern Israel. So far tonight, approximately 12 rockets struck Israeli civilians.
03:01 - Short while ago, another Gaza rocket struck southern Israel, another restless night.
01:38 - Summary of today’s events.
00:54 – Short while ago, another Gaza rocket landed in southern Israel.

Saturday, 20/8

23:57 – Short while ago, four Gaza rockets landed in southern Israel. The terror attacks continue.
21:38 – A short while ago, 3 Gaza rockets struck southern Israel city of Be’er Sheva, leading to three civilians severely injured and one moderately injured.
20:21 – Update: Two kids, one two months-year-old baby, wounded a few minutes ago from the Gaza rocket attack at southern Israeli cities.
20:13 – In the last 10 minutes, 10 Gaza rockets pounded Israel, placing millions of Israelis in line of fire.
Continue reading “Updates: Terror Attacks in Southern Israel” »

IDF Soldier Killed in Combined Terrorist Attack

Posted on August 18, 2011 by idfspokesperson

Staff Sergeant Moshe Naftali, a 22 year-old soldier from Ofra was killed today during a multi-pronged terrorist attack that began around noon in southern Israel.

Staff Sergeant Moshe Naftali, In Memoriam

Staff Sgt. Naftali was killed as a result of a terrorist attack on his force while it was en route to assist a civilian bus that was fired upon by terrorists. Crossfire ensued between the force and terror squad.

The soldier’s family was notified on the tragic incident.

Summary of Multi-Pronged Terror Attack

Posted on August 18, 2011 by idfspokesperson

Summary of combined terrorist attacks as of the past hour:

Combined terrorist attacks on innocent civilians near the Israeli city of Eilat
At least 40 people were injured
Fire opened at civilian buses and vehicle

Terror Strikes Israeli Civilians in Southern Israel, Photo: Ariel Hermoni

Today’s combined terrorist attacks on Israeli civilian vehicles began several hours ago, when gunfire was opened at an Israeli bus. 14 people were injured as a result and evacuated to nearby hospitals. Simultaneously, fire was opened on an additional bus and two civilian vehicles, injuring several people.

An explosive device was detonated on IDF soldiers that arrived at the scene a short while afterwards, injuring several of them.
Several mortar shells were simultaneously fired from the Gaza Strip at soldiers conducting routine maintenance work on the security fence on the Israel-Egypt border.

The events are ongoing, and are currently being managed by IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Benny Gantz, GOC Southern Command, Major-General Tal Russo and Commander of the Edom (80th) Division, Brigadier-General Tamir Yadi.
GOC Southern Command ordered that Routes 10 and 12 be closed to traffic in order to enable security and rescue forces to perform their jobs. The public is requested to avoid the area.

This is a malicious attack on innocent civilians, who were on their way to the known tourist destination city, Eilat, for their summer vacation. The IDF will pursue those responsible for this attack at all costs and will not allow any further harm to Israeli civilians.